4th of July Menu -

I made a healthy, low-carb 4th of July menu because I am bound and DETERMINED not to eat badly on July 4th this year! This is what my 4th of July usually looks like:

7am: “Yay – it's a family day! I'll just enjoy my day and not worry too much about food – but I definitely won't cheat. It's not worth it.”

8am: “Well…my friend is bringing my favorite cookies to our potluck this evening. So…I'll eat a good breakfast and maybe just have one cookie later.”

10am: “OK, so that ONE donut for breakfast wasn't bad, because I was going to have a cookie later anyway, so today will just be a cheat day.”

12pm: “Hmmm…I COULD have a salad for lunch, but everyone else is eating sandwiches and chips. I haven't had sandwiches and chips in so long, and it's pretty much a cheat day anyway, so…”

1pm: “I feel a little gross, but it is a cheat day, so I'll get over it.”

5pm: “Since I had the donut…and the sandwich…and the chips…and I'm planning on that cookie…I'll go ahead and have the burger bun, the pasta salad, and a couple of other desserts, too. I'll start over tomorrow.”

SERIOUSLY this happens every time I start to contemplate a cheat! I am just not able to ditch my eating plan for one dessert, or one meal. I derail HARD and have a hard time coming back from it. Even worse, by night I usually dissolve into a mental puddle of self-pity and loathing. Not that it's such a huge deal to eat something unhealthy occasionally, but because I get so mad at myself for lacking self-control! This low-carb 4th of July menu is designed to help me avoid the struggle this year. I'm making such great foods that I know I won't feel deprived!

I'm just being really honest here – I know I can do better. I know that sticking to a healthy way of eating is dependent upon my willingness to make the meal in front of me a healthy one. When I plan to cheat, I derail my entire day.

That's why THIS year I have a plan to eat WELL. I'm going to make great choices with yummy food and stick to them! I've put together a list of the dishes I plan to make, but please note that I don't usually make so many different recipes – I like to keep it simple in my kitchen! But on a holiday, for a special treat to serve guests, I think it doesn't get much better than this feast! Here's my dinner plan – you can pick and choose what appeals to you:

July 4th Dinner

Appetizer:

Salami Cream Cheese Roll-ups (No Crackers)

Main Dish Options:

Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Creamy Avocado Sauce

and/or Grilled Burgers w/ Cheese

Side Dish Options:

Low-Carb Coleslaw

Grilled Parmesan Garlic Asparagus

Dessert:

No-Bake Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake